The German Tests for the Workplace (DTB) conclude the BAMF-funded professional language courses and are offered at A2, B1, B2 and C1. They test general workplace German, such as conversations with colleagues and customers, emails and meetings, rather than the specialist language of one profession.
The Deutsch-Tests für den Beruf are the final exams of the professional language courses funded by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF). They exist at A2, B1, B2 and C1 and were developed by telc on behalf of the federal government.
They test general job-related German: phone calls and conversations with colleagues and customers, emails and short reports, meetings and work instructions. The specialist language of one particular profession is not tested.
"B2 Beruf" and "C1 Beruf" usually mean job-related German at that level. At the end of a professional language course you take the DTB at your course level, for example the DTB B2. There are also the openly bookable job-related telc exams such as telc Deutsch B1·B2 Beruf, which you can take without a course.
Which exam you need depends on who asks for the certificate. Recognition authorities and employers name the level: B2 is the threshold for many skilled jobs, C1 for academic and medical professions.
Every DTB has a written part with reading, listening and writing, and a speaking exam. Structure, task types and procedure are very similar across levels; only the demands rise.
Participants in a professional language course are registered by their course provider. Some exam centres also accept external candidates and set the date and fee themselves. Below are cities where language schools post DTB dates.
Participants in a professional language course, where it is the final test. People who want to prove workplace German without a course often choose an openly bookable exam such as telc Deutsch B1·B2 Beruf.
The responsible recognition authority decides. Many health professions require B2; doctors additionally need a specialist language exam at C1 level.
Yes. Whether a retake is funded or you pay the fee yourself is something to check with your course provider or exam centre.
No. telc Deutsch B2 tests general German, the DTB B2 tests German at work. Both certify B2, but with different topics.